MonteVERDE

   Well we're in our last week in Costa Rica. We have been extremely busy though. I have learned so much just right here in the last few days. I have gotten a lot of good research for my inquiry project. On Tuesday we went to the Cloud Forest School, or Creativo Educacion. The school was incredible. We got a tour from a student ambassador, JP, who was so knowledgeable and great. Some things that stood out for me on the tour as far as sustainability was their organic garden, the compost where they put unwanted food, and their efforts towards reforestation.
  Before the school was founded 20 years ago, it was farm land. Since the school has been established, the school has an agreement with the nature conservatory in that they will attempt to restore the forest that used to be there. 1/3 of the land has be forest and the students there are making that possible. It was also interesting to hear about all of the different sustainability projects that the different grade levels do throughout the school year.
  I'm learning so much about sustainability here in Costa Rica that now I think that will be my main focus for my paper. I might mention sustainability in the States, but I really think that now I would like to talk more about what is going on here. It has been really interesting and I'm really glad that I chose this topic because I have learned so much in my time here.
  On a curriculum level, I also really admired the school for what it is doing. They don't begin testing until the 4th grade, which I thought was amazing. You could also really tell that they valued their teachers. They have standards that they follow, but they really encourage the teachers to teach the material with the resources and knowledge that they have, which from a teacher's perspective is what we all dream of. In the States, everything is so regulated and micromanaged and teachers do not have the freedom that these teachers did. You could really tell that the students were excited to be there and were excited to learn. In the States, school is a more of a chore for the students and that is something that we as teachers really should try to change.
  On a different note, we had an amazing weekend in Arenal. The volcano was incredible and truly breathtaking. The hot springs were relaxing and just what we all needed. Javier also showed us plenty of wildlife on the way there! We got to see a sloth, Howler Monkeys, and Toucans! He's always full of surprises. He has been a great guide.
  Tomorrow morning we have the canopy tour! Can't wait!

Pura Vida!